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He raised his biggest public concern to date about the slide in the U.S. dollar, saying it has contributed to an “unwelcome rise” in inflation.

The Fed chief's fresh assessment – delivered via satellite to an international monetary conference in Spain – appeared to mark a subtle shift in Bernanke's views about economic risks.

Despite the rising concerns about inflation, Bernanke signaled the Fed is inclined to leave rates where they are.

Boosting them could further weaken the economy's delicate state.

However, some analysts said Bernanke might be taking a baby step toward laying the foundation for an eventual rise in rates – possibly later this year or early next year – if inflation were to flash signs of getting dangerously out of hand.

“Bernanke has inflation on the brain,” said Richard Yamarone, an economist at Argus Research.

To help brace the economy, the Fed dropped rates in late April to 2 percent, a nearly four-year low, continuing a rate-cutting campaign that started last September.